An examination of policies and programs used to increase ethnic and racial diversity among faculty at research universities

Racial and ethnic minorities are underrepresented among faculty at research universities in the United States. The presence, representation, and contributions of racial and ethnic minority faculty improve the ability of the educational institution to provide students with a diverse learning environment. Diversity of this nature enables students to become apprentices for global citizenship and leadership. Consequently, student learning is enhanced and more meaningful critical thinking skills are developed when students are placed in classroom settings rich with cultural, racial and gender differences. This dissertation analyzes racial and ethnic diversity among faculty at four research universities participating in the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC). The CIC is an academic consortium of major research universities. The significance of these institutions resonates in their ability to impact relevant societal arenas (i.e. business, industry and government). Particularly within higher education, the role of diversity must be considered because of its capacity to train and educate a workforce that is representative of the racial and ethnic composition of the larger society.;Therefore, this dissertation examines equity issues facing faculty of color in the academy. Primarily, conflict theory, a leading principles underpinning discussions on racial inequality in higher education, along with the epistemological framework of organizational analysis of racism in higher education are used. Considering the afore mentioned theoretical and conceptual frameworks, this dissertation does the following: (a) presents a sociological analysis of the historical and contemporary status and presence of racial and ethnic minority faculty at colleges and universities in the United States; (b) examines policies, programs, procedures, and strategies to increase racial diversity among faculty; and (c) outlines the opportunities, challenges, and policy recommendations for the short-term and long-term goals to achieve racial diversity among the professoriate. Qualitative and descriptive research and multiple methods, including document analysis of reports, procedures, and initiatives are used. Open ended interviews are conducted with academic and administrative leaders. Virtual observation (i.e. viewing institutional web sites) and classical observation methods (i.e. observing institutional leaders in their environment, such as board meetings) have been used. As racial populations increase, many Americans are looking to higher educational institutions to prepare individuals for world citizenship.